Substance Abuse Counselor Requirements in North Carolina
North Carolina credentials substance abuse counselors through the NC Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board as Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CADC) and Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialists (LCAS). The CADC requires a high school diploma, 270 hours of education, supervised practice, and passing the IC&RC ADC exam. The LCAS requires a qualifying master’s degree, additional supervised experience, and passing the IC&RC AADC exam.
The dual opioid and fentanyl crises rage on in North Carolina, running rampant through cities like Wilmington, Hickory, and Jacksonville. But an army of dedicated professionals and volunteers, led by credentialed substance abuse counselors, is making meaningful steps every day, uplifting communities and restoring hope.
North Carolina substance abuse counselors are credentialed through the North Carolina Addictions Specialist Professional Practice Board (NCSAPPB) as Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CADC) and Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialists (LCAS). The NCSAPPB also issues credentials to prevention specialists and to professionals who work in the criminal justice system. Addiction counseling professionals licensed at the LCAS level may pursue supervisor certification. Understanding the path to becoming an addiction counselor can help you navigate these requirements more effectively.
Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor Requirements
To become a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) in North Carolina, you must have a high school diploma or GED and complete the following education and training requirements:
- At least 270 hours of education – 190 of which must be specifically in substance abuse topics
- At least 6 hours of training in ethics
- At least 6 hours of HIV/AIDS education
- At least 6 hours of bloodborne pathogens training
- At least 6 hours covering other contemporary topics in addiction treatment
You can find Board-approved training courses here. Learn more about the certification process for substance abuse counselors across different states.
The CADC Application Process
The application process to become a CADC consists of three steps: Registration, Intern Status, and Full Certification.
Registration
Registration is the first step in the application process. All applicants must complete the registration process before moving on. The registration and application process is completed through LearningBuilder, the NCSAPPB’s Credentialing System.
Registration is limited to just 5 years. If you still don’t meet the certification requirements by then, you’ll have to reapply.
To qualify for registration for the CADC credential, you must have a high school diploma or GED and supply the Board with the following:
- Supervision agreement
- Proof of the completion of 3 clock hours of ethical training
- Registration fee
- Completed background check
- Resume and job description
Intern Status
The second step in the application process requires earning an Intern Status. To qualify, you must:
- Complete at least 300 hours of supervised work under the supervision of a Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS). To qualify, these hours must include a supervision rate of one hour per 10 hours of work.
- Take and pass the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) exam
Full Certification
The last step to full certification requires completing at least 6,000 hours (about three years) of supervised experience verified by a CCS.
Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist Requirements
To become a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist (LCAS), you must earn a qualifying master’s degree that includes a clinical internship component. Explore online master’s degree options to find programs that meet North Carolina’s requirements.
Along with your qualifying degree, you must meet the criteria to become an LCAS through one of four paths:
- Criteria A – The standard route for all individuals holding a qualifying degree
- Criteria B – For those who already hold a CADC
- Criteria C – For those who have earned a pre-approved master’s degree in addictions (only those who earned a degree on this list can qualify through Criteria C)
- Criteria D – For those who hold national certification through one of the Board’s Deemed Status entities
The LCAS Application Process
The application process to become an LCAS consists of three steps: Registration, Associate Status, and Full Licensure.
Registration
Registration is the first step in the application process. All applicants must complete the registration process before moving on. The registration and application process is completed through LearningBuilder, the NCSAPPB’s Credentialing System.
Registration is limited to just 5 years. If you still don’t meet the licensure requirements by then, you’ll have to reapply.
To qualify for registration for the LCAS credential, you must have completed a qualifying master’s degree with a clinical component and supply the Board with the following:
- Supervision agreement
- Proof of the completion of 3 clock hours of ethical training
- Registration fee
- Completed background check
- Resume and job description
Associate Status
The second step in the application process includes earning an Associate Status. If you qualify through Criteria B or Criteria C, you’ll automatically earn Associate Status. However, if you are eligible through Criteria A, you’ll need to first complete a 300-hour practicum under the supervision of a CCS.
Depending on your qualifying Criteria, you may also need to complete a period of experience and pass the IC&RC Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (AADC) exam:
- Criteria A
- 4,000 hours (two years) of post-master’s experience
- 180 clock hours of SUD-specific training (including 6 hours in addictions)
- IC&RC AADC exam
- Criteria B
- IC&RC AADC exam
- Criteria C
- 2,000 hours (one year) of post-master’s experience
- IC&RC AADC exam
- Criteria D
- National exam through a Deemed Status entity or the IC&RC AADC exam
Full Licensure
All applicants must submit three references from current LCASs or CADCs with master’s degrees.
Other Credentials Awarded by NCSAPPB
The Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS) credential requires a high school diploma or GED, relevant education in the IC&RC-identified domains, a practicum and supervised practice, and a passing score on the IC&RC examination for prevention specialists. With a qualifying bachelor’s-level degree or higher, the experience requirement can be reduced from 3 years to 2.
The Certified Criminal Justice Addictions Professional (CCJP) requires an LCAS or CADC credential and a passing score on the CCJP exam. Maintaining your credentials through continuing education is essential for all North Carolina addiction counselors.
Reciprocity
Substance abuse professionals may be granted reciprocal credentialing based on qualifying certifications issued by other IC&RC member boards. Your current IC&RC board must initiate the reciprocity process. This allows counselors who are already certified in another state to transfer their credentials to North Carolina, provided their current certification meets North Carolina’s standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a degree to become an addiction counselor in North Carolina?
How long does it take to become a CADC in North Carolina?
What’s the difference between CADC and LCAS credentials?
Can I transfer my addiction counselor certification from another state to North Carolina?
What is LearningBuilder, and how do I use it?
Key Takeaways
- North Carolina offers two main credentials: CADC (entry-level) and LCAS (advanced clinical level) through the NC Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board.
- The CADC requires a high school diploma, 270 hours of education, supervised practice, and passing the IC&RC ADC exam, with full certification taking approximately 3-4 years.
- The LCAS requires a qualifying master’s degree with clinical training, additional supervised hours (varying by pathway), and passing the IC&RC AADC exam.
- Four different pathways (Criteria A-D) exist for LCAS licensure, depending on your existing credentials and educational background.
- Registration through LearningBuilder is limited to 5 years, so you’ll need to complete requirements within that timeframe or reapply.
- Reciprocity is available for counselors certified in other IC&RC member states, allowing credential transfer to North Carolina.
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